For more than 70 years, North Haven Gardens has been a resource for plants and supplies for gardeners in north Dallas. And this is despite being hit by two tornadoes in a recent two-year period. Yes, two tornadoes — bam bam! The longtime family nursery was torn up by a ferocious tornado in 2019. The owners rebuilt, and then a second (thankfully less damaging) tornado struck in 2021. Good grief. It’s one more example of how Texas gardening requires true grit.

Today a spacious modern shop welcomes visitors. I stopped in for the first time during my garden-touring trip to Dallas in mid-May.

North Texas is windy, and a swath of Mexican feathergrass near the doors was billowing in the breeze. Hypnotic and pretty! Imagine this sprinkled with a few ‘Pink Parade’ hesperaloes for hummingbird-attracting flowers and winter interest. I saw ‘Pink Parade’ planted in Dallas’s highway medians — as tough a spot as I can imagine — and it was stunning, although I wondered if hummingbirds are ever big-rig casualties in their efforts to get at it. It made me want to plant it, if only I had a sunny spot protected from deer to enjoy those big hesperaloe blooms.

But I digress.

NHG’s nursery yard is huge and filled with a variety of plants.

I like their signs announcing staff-favorite plants…

…and giving shout-outs to local plant growers.

Lots of plants to choose from

They sell water-garden plants and tanks too.

Here’s a surprise — a cafe on-site! Ralph & Rose also contains a nice gift shop, plus a conference room for classes and events. I hope the nursery will invite me to give a talk here when my book comes out (hint hint!).

Bananas and more along a walkway

A big greenhouse contains tropicals and succulents…

…and cactus planters.

Inside the main shop, I got sidetracked by the beautifully designed packets of Hudson Valley Seeds.

I mean, look at these!

The packaging makes me want to buy them all.

So good

I’ve never in my life been tempted to try growing squash, much less ‘Black Futsu’ squash. But this packet almost convinced me.

And got kids or grandkids? How about these Jellycat cactus and sansevieria bags? Freaking adorable!

I didn’t buy any plants on this visit — mid-May is past my planting time, for my own sanity in Texas gardening — but I sure did find a few gifts to take home. I hope to visit again next time I’m in Dallas.

Up next from my Dallas trip: A peek at historic Lakewood’s fanciful Spanish Eclectic homes. For a look back at the Japanese maple collector’s garden of Cindy Bolz, click here.

I welcome your comments. Please scroll to the end of this post to leave one. If you’re reading in an email, click here to visit Digging and find the comment box at the end of each post. And hey, did someone forward this email to you, and you want to subscribe? Click here to get Digging delivered directly to your inbox!

__________________________

Digging Deeper

Come learn about gardening and design at Garden Spark! I organize in-person talks by inspiring designers, landscape architects, authors, and gardeners a few times a year in Austin. These are limited-attendance events that sell out quickly, so join the Garden Spark email list to be notified in advance; simply click this link and ask to be added. Season 8 kicks off in fall 2024. Stay tuned for more info!

All material © 2024 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.